Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an array of apertured flat plates support the tubes in a heat exchanger. Each aperture has at least three bights that provide individual fluid passageways when the associated tube is lodged in place. At least three inwardly protruding members that separate the bights restrain tube movement. Each of these members define arcs of a circle that has a diameter which is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the respective tube. During heat exchanger assembly, this slightly larger diameter of the circle defined by the inwardly protruding members accommodates departures in the tubing from a perfectly straight condition. In operation, the individual tubes will tend to lay against one or two of the members in each aperture in almost line contact to prevent "crevice corrosion.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an array of apertured flat plates support the tubes in a heat exchanger. Each aperture has at least three bights that provide individual fluid passageways when the associated tube is lodged in place. At least three inwardly protruding members that separate the bights restrain tube movement. Each of these members define arcs of a circle that has a diameter which is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the respective tube. During heat exchanger assembly, this slightly larger diameter of the circle defined by the inwardly protruding members accommodates departures in the tubing from a perfectly straight condition. In operation, the individual tubes will tend to lay against one or two of the members in each aperture in almost line contact to prevent "crevice corrosion.